Shock absorber



April 6 1926.

1,579,727 N. MITCHELL SHOCK AB SORB/ER Original Filed May 17'?, 1923/M/E/v 70e Cove r/vEy /14 Muy/FLL (9M/D Mg Amm/Ey Patented Apr. 6, 1926.

yUNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

COURTNEY N. MITCHELL, O F CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TOERNEST I-I. GEYER, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

SHOCK .ABSORBER.

Application led May 17, 1923, Serial No. 639,536. Renewed May 28, 1924.

-contemplated applying that principle, so as to distinguish it from`other inventions.

My .invention relates to shock-absorbers and particularly toShock-absorbers adapted for use in automotive vehicles of that type inwhich the absorber is iixedly mounted upon the frame of the vehicle andconnected with the wheel axle by means `of a iiexible strap which isadapted .to actuate the device to apply the braking action when theframe moves away from the axle, and alsofin which means are providedfortaking up the slack in the strap'when the frame and axle approacheachother.

The object of the invention is to provide a shock-absorber of the abovedescribed.

character whichA is simple and hence economical in construction andwhich will efficiently 4perform its function.

Said invention consists of means hereinafter fully described andparticularly set forth inthe claims.L

I n the annexed drawing:

Fig. l represents an axial section of the absorber and a transversesection of the frame of an automobile upon which said absorber ismounted.

Fig. 2 represents a section taken upon the plane indicated by lineII-.IL Fig. 1, and viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

The illustrated embodiment of my invention includes a hollow .hubs 1open at the outer end, the other end being formed with an inwardlyprojecting boss 2, Fig. 1. The outer end portion of said hub is formedwith an interior cylindrical bearinfr" surface 3 coaxial with the hub,and in which is seated an inwardly projecting hollow journal member 4formed upon a drum 5.4

The hub 1 is furthermore formed with an outer cylindrical brakingsurface 6 whose axis is parallel with but eccentric relatively to theaxis of the drum and hub, as shown in Fig. 2. Wound upon the exterior ofsaid receives the threaded inner end lof a stud.

bolt 9, which passes through a plain hole 1() formed in theweb 11 of thebody frame,

and is provided -with a suitable nut 9"L by means of which the bolt andhub may be rig-A idly seeured to the said frame, as shown. The outeropening 12 formed by the journal member Il is closed by a washer 13formed with an inwardly projecting boss 14.'

The bosses 2 and 14 are of similar external diameter and form a seat fora tubular sleeve 15 the outer end of which the washer k13 enogages. Thelength of said sleeve is such that the washer may be tightly secured inplace against the sleeve without binding against the end of the drum,and hence-will not interfere with the rotation of the latter.

The outer end portion of the stud 9 is threaded and the washer securedin place by means of a nut 16 engaging such threaded portion, as shownin Fig. 1.

The drum 5 is furthermore formed with an interior cylindrical brakingsurface 17 member is held in contact with said surfaces (3 and 17 by acoiled spring 23, Fig. 2, 1.ocated in an interior cavity 21 formed inthe hub, one end of which is secured to the latter, as at 25, and theother end of which is secured to. a pin Q6 projecting,` through acircumferential slot 27 and formed in said member 22.

Mounted upon the exterior of sleeve 15, is a coiled spring QS o-ne endof which is secured to the hub, as at Q9, and the other end to the drum,as at 30, Fig. 1.

The parts are so arranged that when the hub is rotated by a pull on thestrap, whereby the latter is unwound, the spring 28 will readilyunderstood.

'drum and consists of a flanged disk 31A "mounted on the hub, and acup-shaped member 32 whose inner end -v interiorly engages the flange 33kof disk 31` and whose outer end is secured in place by a nut 34engaging the outer threadedend of stud 9, which clamps it against nut16, Fig. 1.

When the drum 5 is rotated by the strap 7that1is inthe directionl'ofconvergence of thev brakingsurfaces, as indicated by the arrow' in Fig.2', the friction member 22 will enga el the braking surfaces of the drumand ub and 'retard the recession of the frame and axle from eachfother,as will be Since the spring 23 holds themember 22 in engagement with thebraking surfaces o f the drum and hub when the parts are at rest, thebeginning of such brakinol action is coincident with the beginning ofthe rotation of the drum.

When the axle and frame-approach, the strap ,is rewound by thespring28,v and the friction member 22 being inoperative during such movement,as will be understood by those skilled in the art. j

The hub is also preferably provided with a lug 35 carrying a pin 36which engages the bottom of theframe, and `insures the device againstrotative displacement on its support,

as will be readily seen What I claim is: l. In a shock-absorber,'thecombination of a hub adapted to be lixed to asu'itable suprt and havingan exterior cylindrical surace ;a rotatable drum surrounding said hubhaving anaxis parallel with but eccentric relatively to the hub axis,and aninterior cylindrical braking surface whose axis coint. cides withthe drum-axis, whereby said two braking surfaces converge; a strapsecured to and adapted to rotate said drum in the direction ofconvergence of said surfaces; a. spring adaptedto rotate the drum in theopposite direction; and means interposed between said surfaces forwedging same when the drum is actuated by-said strap.

2. Ina shock-absorber, the combination of a hub adapted to be fixed to asuitable support and having an exterior cylindrical braking surface; arotatable drum surround` ing said hub having an the hub-axis buteccentric relatively-thereto, and an interior cylindrical brakingsurface whose axis coincides with the drum axis, whereby said twobraking surfaces converge;

-a strap secured to and adapted `to rotate said drum in the direction ofsuch convergence; a Yspring adapted to rotate the drum in the oppositedirection; means interposed between said two braking surfaces axisparallel with i for wedging same when the drum is rotated brakingsurface concentric with said bearing,' whereby said hub and drum brakingsurfaces converge; means for rotating said drum in the direction of suchconvergence; a spring adapted, to rotate said drum in the oppositedirection; and a wedge member having exterior surfaces conforming to thecurvature yof said braking surfaces and located therebetween.

4. In a shock-absorber, the combination of a hub adapted to be fixed toa suitable support and having an exterior cylindrical braking surfaceand an interior cylindrical bearing whose axis is parallel with buteccentric relatively to the hub-axis; a drum having a journal membermounted in said bearing: and having an interior cylindrical brakingsurface concentric with said bearing, whereby said hub and drum brakingsurfaces converge; means for rotating said drum in the direction of suchconvergence; a spring adapted to rotate said drum in the oppositedirection;\a nd a wedge member having exterior surfaces conforming tothe curvature of said braking surfaces and located therebetween; andseparate means for holding said wedge member in contact with saidbraking surfaces.

5.l In a shock-absorber, the combination of a hollow hub having anexterior cylindrical braking surface and an interior cylindricalbea-ring whose axis is parallel with but eccentric relatively to thehub-axis; a drum having a hollow exteriorlyv open journal member mountedin said bearing and having an interior cylindrical braking surfaceconcentric wit-h said bearing, whereby said hub and drum brakingsurfaces converge; a strap secured to the exterior of 'said drum andadapted to rotate same in thedirection of such convergence; a washerclosing the outer end of said journal member and provided with aninteriorly projecting boss; said hub provided with a-boss projectinginto same from the opposite end thereof; a tubular sleeve having itsends seated upon said bosses respectively; a coiled spring surroundingsaid sleeve having one end secured to said hub and the other to saiddrum; said spring arranged to oppose such rotation; a wedge-- memberintersposed between said converging surfaces; and a spring adapted tohold said wedge in contact with the latter.

6. In a device of the character described, the' combination ot' a hubadapted to be fixed to a suitable support and having a cylindrifalsurface. a rotatable. drinnsurrounding a part otl said hub having anaxis parallel with but eccentric relativeljv to the hub axis andcylindrical surface whose axis coincides with the drinn axis wherebysaid cylindrical surface ot' said hub and c vlindri lal surface ot saiddrinn converge relatively to each other, means of rotating said drinn inthe direction oi convergence ot' said c vlindrical surfaces, a`resilient member for rotating said drinn in the-opposite direction andmeans interposed between said surfaces ior wedging same when drinn istiil'ncd in direction of convergence of saidsurfaccs.

7. In a device ofthe cliaracter described.

the combination of a hub adaptedto be fixed to a suitable support andhaving` a c vlindrical surface. a rotatable drinn surrounding a part ofsaid hub having an axis parallel with biit eccentric relatively to thehnb axis and cvliinlrical surface whose axis coincides with the drinnaxisivhereby said c vlindrical snriace of said hub and c vlindricalsurface ot said drinn converge relatively to each other, means otrotating said drinn in thc direction of convergence ot' said cylindricalsurfaces, a. coiled spring for rotating said drinn in the oppositedirection and means interposed between said surfaces for ivedging same,when drinn is turned in direction of convergence ot said surfaces.

8. In an article of thc character described, the coi'iibination ot abraking` element having a convex outer contact area and a concave innercontact arca, a member having a concave bearing surface positionedadjacent to and adapted to contact with. the convex contact area 1ol`said braking clement, a member having a convex bearing surfacepositioned adjacent to and adapted to contact with the concavev contactarca ot' said braking element, and means permitting relativemotion-between said braking element and either oi said last-namedmembers to progressivel)7 increase or decrease the degree otcontaetofsaid adjacent surlaces according to the direction ot such motion.

9. In an article of the clniractcr described, the combination of aniovablc braking element having a convex oiitcr contact area and aconcave inner contact area, a member having a concave bearing surfacepositioned adjacent to, and adapted to contact with, they convex contactarea of said braking element, a member having a convex bearing snrlacepositionedv adjacent to-and adapted to contact. with the concave contactarea of said braking element, and means permitting relative motionbetween said last-named members to progressivelj7 increase or decreasethe degree ofv contact of said adjacent surfaces according to thedirection of suoli motion.

10. In an article of the character described, the combination of amovable braking element having a convex outer contact area and a concaveinner contact area, a member having a concave bearing surface positionedadjacent to, and adapted to contact' with, the convex contact arca ot'said brakingr element, a member having a convex bearing surfacepositioned adjacent to and adapted to contact with the concave area ot'said braking element, said last-named mem- 'bers being positionedeccentrically with respect 'to each other, and means permitting relativemotion `between"said last-named members to progressiveljY increase or decrease the degree of contact -ot' said adjacent siirf'acesaccording tothe direction of such motion.

11.111 an article of the character described, the combination ot' abraking element havingk a convex outer contact arca provided Withfriction material and a conca-ve inner contact area, a member having aconcave cylindrical bearing siii-tace positioned adjacent to, andadapted to contact with, the convex contact area ot' said brakingelement, a membcrhaving a convex c vlindrical bearing surface positionedadjacent to, and adapted to contact with, the concave area ot' saidbraking element, said cylindrical members being positionedeccentricalljv with respect to each other, and means pern'iittingrelative motion between said braking element and either oi' said cj'-lindrical members to pregressivelv increase or decrease the degree ofcontact ot' said adjacent siirfaces according to the direction of suchmotion.

l2. In an article of the character described, the combination of a solidnon-re- -silient brake shoe having a convex outer contact area and aconcave inner contact area, a non-resilient member having a concavebearing surface positioned adjacent to, and adapted to contact with, theconvex con tact area of said brake shoe, a non-resilient member having`a convex bearing surface positionedadjacent to, and adapted to contactwith, the concave area of said brake shoe, and means permitting relativemotion between said last-naine members to progressiveljY increase ordecrease the degree ot' contact of said adjacent surfaces according tothe direction of such motion.

`13. In an article of the character described, the combination of asupport, a solid non-resilient brake shoe movably associated therewithhaving a convex outer contact area and a concave inner contact area, anon-resilient member having a concave bearing surface positionedadjacent to, and adapted to contact with, the convex contact area ot'said brake shoe, a non-resilient member having a convex bearing surfacepositioned adjacent to, and adapted to contact with, the concave area ofsaid brake shoe, and meanspermitting relative motion between saidlast-named members to progressively increase or decrease the degree ofcontact of said adjacent surfaces according to the direction of suchmotion.

14. In an article scribed, the combination of a support, a solidnon-resilient brake shoe movably associated therewith having a convexouter contact area and a concave inner contact area, a non-resilientmember having a concave bearing surface positioned adjacent to, andadapted to contact with, the convex contact area of said brake slice, anon-resilient member having a convex bearing surface positioned adjacentto, and adapted to contact with, the concave area of said brake shoe,means permitting relative motion between said lastnamed members toprogressively increase or decrease the degree of contact of saidadjacent surfaces according to the direction of such motion, andresilient means adapted to hold said brake shoe normally in contactwi'thone Yofthe adjacent elements.

15. In a shock absorber, the combinatie of a liub having an exteriorcylindrical braking surface, a rotatable drum surrounding said hub,'-butpositioned eccentrically with respect thereto having an axis parallelwith the hub axis and having an interior cylindrical braking surfacewhose axis eoincides with the drum axis, whereby said two brakingsurfaces converge, a strap secured to and adaptedv to rotate said drumin the direction of convergence, and means interposed between said twobraking surfaces for wedging same when the drum is rotated by saidstrap.

16. In a shock absorber, the combination of a hub having an exteriorcylindrical braking surface, a rotatable drum surrounding said hub, butposition eccentrically with respect thereto having an axis parallel withthe hub axis' and having anvinterior cylindrical braking surface whoseaxis coincides With the drum axis, whereby said two braking surfacesconverge, a strap secured to and adapted to rotate said drum in thedirection of convergence, means interposed between said two brakingsurfaces for wedging same when the drum is rotated by said strap, and

of the character de? Lavavev means for tensioning said drum against thepull of said strap.

17. In a shock absorber, the combination of a hub having an exteriorcylindrical braking surface, a rotatable drum surrounding said hub, butpositioned eccentrically with respect thereto having an axis parallelwith the hub axisA and having an interior cylindrical braking surfacewhose axis coincides with the drum axis, wherebyv said two brakingsurfaces converge, a. strap secured to and adapted to rotate said drumin the direction of convergence, means interposed between said twobraking surfaces for wedging same when the drum is rotated by saidstrap, and separate means for holding said interposed means in` contactwith said surfaces at all times.

18. In a shock absorber, the combination of a h'ub having an exteriorcylindrical b aking surface, a rotatable drum surrounding said hub. butpositioned eccentrically with respect thereto having an axis parallelwith the h ub axis and having an interior cylindrical braking surfacewhose axis coincides with the drinn axis, whereby said two brakingsurfaces converge, a strap secured to and adapted to rotate said drum inthe direction of convergence, means interposed between said two brakingsurfaces for wedging Same when the drum isv rotated by said strap,separate means for holding said interposed means in contact with saidsurfaces at all times, and means for tensioning said drum against thepull of said strap.

19. In combination with a frame of a vehicle and a part of the vehiclemovable relatively thereto, means for snubbing their relative movementcomprising a fixed member, a member rotatable with the said vehiclepart, and a wedge shaped element frictionally engaging said fixed androtatable members.

20. A vehicle snubber comprising a member carried by the vehicle frame,a member rotatably responsive at all times with movements et the vehicleaxle, and a wedge shaped member directly engaging said members foroffering resistance to their relative movement.

Signed b v me this 10th day of May, 1923.

COURTNEY N. MITCHELL.

